» January 7th 2001
» Widnes 26 Workington Town 16

Despite this match coming only 3 days after the West Cumbrian derby match the Town players put on a brilliant display and for most of the match were the far better and entertaining side.

Town fell behind in the first minute after the Widnes fullback Damian Munro engineered an overlap which allowed their Veteran winger Mark Forster to go in at the corner unchallenged. Ian Watson missed the conversion attempt to make the opening score 4 - 0 to the home side.

Town replied with some great tackling and when they got possession they quickly obtained field position and in the 5th minute after some great handling Manihera released Steve McGrady who drove on through the Widnes defence and passed to the flying Graeme Lewthwaite who raced on to score. Kevin Hetherington added the conversion to put Town into a 6 - 4 lead.

Widnes registered the next points when former Town favourite Stephen Holgate collected a rebounded kick and powered on to the line evading several Town tacklers to score. Ian Watson again missing the conversion attempt. This brought the score to 8 - 6 in favour of Widnes.

Widnes scored again through Damian Munro thanks to good work from Martin Crompton who passed to the fullback who burst through the Workington line and into clear space and raced on to score. Watson again missing with the conversion attempt to make the score 12 - 6.

Town hit back when former Widnes player Savelio powered over from close range after a strong passage of play. Savelio was involved several times along with Manihera before the prop made the line with a determined surge. Manihera kicked the conversion to tie the scores at 12 -1 2.

Widnes regained the lead after 27 minutes when Chris McKinney ran out wide and threw a dummy which gave him the space to make the line and score. Watson's bad luck continued as he missed the conversion to make the score 16 - 12.

Workington scored before the break with some great movement by the Town players finishing with loose forward Stuart Hoyles scoring. Jamie Nixon missed with the conversion attempt to make the half-time score 16 - 16.

Workington after the break enjoyed the early possession and should have went in front on several occasions but scrambling tacking by Widnes and Town handling errors combined to stop Town taking what would have been a well deserved lead.

It was Widnes who broke the deadlock on 59 minutes after a suspected forward pass Munro went on to score his second try of the match. Watson's terrible day with the boot continued as missed with his conversion attempt for the fifth time.

Town did not give up and were always keeping the ball alive and some great handling created the gaps and only some last gasp tackling by Widnes preventing Town from scoring.

Widnes extended their lead in the 69th minute when hooker Phil Cantillon made a break and fed Steve Gee who carried on the advance and slipped a pass to Cantillon who had continued to run in support, allowing him touchdown for the try. Watson's miss with the conversion attempt continuing his miserable day and keeping the score at 24 -16 to Widnes.

Watson finally completed a successful kick with a penalty almost in front of the posts. This was greeted by the biggest cheer of the day from the home crowd. This was the final score of the day and gave the home side a 26 - 16 victory.

Town had put on a first class display and all the players deserve praise for their efforts. If Town continue with encouraging displays like this a play-off place at the end of the season could be there for the taking.